The
University of California, Davis has a long and rich history
in reproductive biology research. From the 1930’s to the
60’s, early pioneers at UC Davis included Harold H. Cole,
Perry T. Cupps, and Irving I. Geshwind, Department of Animal
Science, and Frank X. Ogasawara, Department of Avian Sciences.
Their scientific discoveries (such as the gonadotropic hormone
from pregnant mares, methods to freeze sperm and for artificial
insemination), assistance to the dairy cattle and chicken industries,
and scholarly activities (editors of scientific journals, authors
of text books in reproduction) provided the foundation for
the teaching of reproductive biology at UC Davis, and the addition
of faculty with research interests in this field.

Today,
research in reproductive biology at UC Davis is conducted by
more than 40 principal investigators located in the Colleges
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Letters and Sciences,
Division of Biological Science, Schools of Medicine, of Veterinary
Medicine, and Organized Research Units such as the Bodega Marine
Laboratory, the Center for Health and the Environment, and
the California Regional Primate Center. Research ranges from
molecular to organismal, and from basic research to applied
studies in agricultural and health related sciences. A significant
number of UC Davis reproductive biologists conduct research
programs that are recognized nationally and internationally.
As stated by then Dean Robert D. Grey to Chancellor Emeritus
Theodore L. Hullar (May 26,1992) when transmitting a Directory
of Principal Investigators in Reproductive Biology at UC Davis, "The
area of reproductive biology is one of the major strengths
in the biological sciences at UC Davis." The astonishing
breadth and depth of the campus’s research programs in
this field have created a dynamic research environment that
promotes collaborative investigations and provides outstanding
opportunities for graduate education.

Graduate students in certain Ph.D. programs may participate in
a Designated Emphasis, a specialization that might include a new
method of inquiry or an important field of application which is
related to two or more existing Ph.D. programs. The curriculum
of the designated emphasis is offered by faculty organized in the
manner of a graduate group. The Designated Emphasis is awarded
in conjunction with the Ph.D. degree and is signified by a transcript
designation; for example, "Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology
with a Designated Emphasis in Reproductive Biology."

In
view of both the breadth of interests and substantial numbers
of high quality faculty interested in the education of graduate
students in reproductive biology, UC Davis has an established
Designated Emphasis in Reproductive Biology (DERB). The DERB
covers graduate students in Molecular, Cellular, & Integrative
Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Comparative Pathology,
Pharmacology and Toxicology, Epidemiology and
Animal Biology . The curriculum
requirements are below.